To the LORD

M O R E A U,

A decorative woodcut initial 'W' features leafy vine motifs.When I became of the mind to dedicate this little Book to Your Honor, it was not because I deemed it worthy of such, but solely to request Your Honor to be its protector, just as Your Honor has always been mine, whenever I have had the good fortune to practice my Art in Your Honor's presence and by Your Honor's order. Your Honor's name alone shall make it worthy; and without doubt, as soon as it is known that it has been approved by Your Honor, it shall be freed from all

all criticism. I count it an advantage for me, MY LORD, that I may say that in these Observations, which I dare to publish under Your Honor's protection, there are more matters that belong to Your Honor than to myself; for they contain various instructions and teachings which Your Honor has granted me on the matters that they treat. The reverence, then, that one bears toward Your Honor shall serve me as a shield against envy: and this protection makes me so indebted to Your Honor that I cannot acknowledge the same except with a sincere intention to be and remain, my whole life long, with all submissiveness,